“What’s for dinner, Mom?” On nights when we plan to eat out, this question is usually quickly followed by, “Can we just bring it home?” I get it. We’ve all had a long day, and the last thing my little ones want to do is have to behave in a restaurant. Lucky for us, the Birmingham area has lots of great restaurants that have thought about the whole family- even the toddler who will need to run off some hangry energy! We’ve put together a list of some of our favorite Birmingham restaurants with space for kids to play.
Chelsea
Station 31 Kitchen
Station 31 Kitchen offers a family friendly atmosphere with a fenced in green space for your children to play. For families who love singing, don’t miss their karaoke nights for dinner and entertainment!
Location: 104 Chesser Drive, Chelsea, AL
Homewood
Farm Bowl and Juice Co.
Farm Bowl and Juice Co. does not have a huge space for kids to run wild and free, but their front porch has a fun swing that my kids cannot resist.
Location: 1920 29th Avenue South, Homewood, AL
Pizzeria GM
Adjacent to Patriot Park, Pizzeria GM is a great option for kids who need to run and play before enjoying a yummy pizza dinner. The outside seating will help you keep little ones in view as they play.
Location: 600 Oak Grove Road, Homewood, AL
Soho Square
Soho Square has a large space for kids to run and play, and there is even a fountain to toss pennies and make wishes in. Ashley Mac’s, Soho Social, Social Taco are all close by and all have a kid’s menu.
Location: 1830 29th Avenue South, Homewood, AL
The Edge
The Edge is a great place for kids of all ages. There is a large green space, play area, Fun-Land Arcade, and even a big screen for Monday movie nights throughout the summer. Food and beverage options include B’ham Burger, Corbeau Wine Bar, Shin Ramen Noodle, The Que*Bicle, coffee from Baba Java Coffee, and dessert from popbar.
Location: 815-819 Greens Springs Highway, Homewood, AL
Pelham
Taco Mac
Taco Mac has a large green space for your children to entertain themselves, and their menu is full of crowd pleasers that everyone in the family will love.
Location: 2500 Canopy Trail, Pelham, AL
Hoover
Big Whiskey’s
At Stadium Trace Village, Big Whiskey’s features a fenced in green space with outdoor seating where kids can play while you enjoy watching the big game with friends.
Location: 5250 Peridot Place, Hoover, AL
Brock’s Gap Brewery
Brock’s Gap Brewery has a fantastic outdoor space with tons of room for kids to run and yard games that will keep them busy for hours. They also frequently have food trucks to provide plenty of food options for picky eaters.
Location: 500 Mineral Trace, Suite 100, Hoover, AL
Dave and Buster’s
Dave and Buster’s offers sports bar food and a huge arcade for kids and adults to play while you wait on your order.
Location: 2700 Riverchase Galleria, Suite 110, Hoover, AL
Melt
At Melt, your little ones will be entertained by board games right at your table. If you are a family that loves bonding over games, this is the place for you.
Location: 5219 Peridot Place, Suite 3, Hoover, AL
Vecchia Pizza
Vecchia Pizza goes above and beyond to keep families happy. When you take your kiddos to this eatery at The Preserve, they will find green space and sidewalk chalk, as well as live music and a bounce house on weekends.
Location: 610 and 616 Preserve Parkway, Suite 100, Hoover, AL
The Electric
Bluff Park’s The Electric is a sandwich shop that features a covered outdoor area with fun yard games, as well as a game room.
Location: 2146 Tyler Road, Suite 212, Hoover, AL
Walk On’s
At two locations in Hoover, Walk On’s has outdoor green space with yard games for the family to enjoy.
Locations:
Stadium Trace Village: 5249 Peridot Place, Hoover, AL
Greystone: 6401 Tattersall Park Drive, Hoover, AL
Leeds
The Backyard at The Shops of Grand River
At The Backyard, your kids can enjoy 18 holes of miniature golf while waiting on food from Saw’s BBQ or Neighbors Brew and Pies. You can also do a little shopping while you are there!
Location: 6200 Grand River Boulevard East, Suite 510, Leeds, AL
Trussville
The Gateway
The Gateway is Trussville’s entertainment district where Ferus Artisan Ales and Pinchgut Pies share large walk ways and space to play, as well as a stage and screen to host family friendly events. Pinchgut Pies also has a game room that your children will love.
Location: 101 and 129 Beech Street, Trussville, AL
Walk On’s
Walk On’s in Trussville has a game room for kids to play in, as well as patio seating and outdoor space where kids can just be kids.
Location: 464 Main Street, Trussville, AL
Vestavia Hills
Martin’s Bar-B-Q Joint and Bendy’s Cookies and Cream
When you drive by Martin’s and Bendy’s, there is a good chance you will see a group of kids trying to get passing cars to honk their horns. These two great restaurants offer plenty of fenced in outdoor seating that is right next to a creek where my little ones love to watch for turtles and lizards.
Location: 3029 Pump House Road, Vestavia Hills, AL
The Olive Branch and Doodle’s Sorbets and Ices
Next to The Olive Branch and Doodle’s, there is a huge green space across from the fire station. In the evenings, you will almost always find kids with ice cream stained smiles playing and cheering on fire trucks when they pull out of the station. The Olive Branch has outdoor seating that overlooks the lawn, so you can enjoy a delicious Mediterranean meal while keeping an eye on your kiddos.
Location:3236 Cahaba Heights Road, Vestavia Hills, AL
Waldo’s
Waldo’s in Cahaba Heights has a large outdoor dining space that is walled off from the road. Thursday nights, when kids eat free, you can find a gaggle of kids enjoying the outdoors.
Location: 3009 Pump House Road, Suite 110, Vestavia Hills, AL
Vestavia Hills City Center
Vestavia Hills City Center has several restaurants that surround a common space with turf that is a great place for families to mingle and children to play. The outdoor seating at Panera, Taco Mama, The Great Greek, and Davenport’s Pizza Palace have the best views of the large play space, but other restaurants nearby, First Watch, The Standard, Starbuck’s, Crumbl, and Chopt are close enough for your kids to enjoy running around while waiting on their food or while you enjoy your coffee. Davenport’s also has a game room that older kids will love.
Location: 700 Montgomery Highway, Vestavia Hills, AL
Downtown Birmingham
Back Forty
Located near Sloss Furnace and the railroad tracks, Back Forty is a brewery with a kids menu and a large outdoor space that your children will love.
Location: 3201 First Avenue North, Birmingham, AL
Chick-Fil-A
Chick-Fil-A is a favorite quick meal in our family, and my kids are especially excited when we find one with an indoor play place. It’s the perfect place to go when your kids need to burn energy and the weather is not cooperating. A helpful traveling tip: Chick-Fil-A’s website and app allow you to find a restaurant and filter for locations with a playground.
Locations:
5 Points: 2000 Highland Avenue South, Birmingham, AL
Cahaba Heights: 3949 Crosshaven Drive, Vestavia Hills, AL
Calera: 64 Highway 304, Calera, AL
Fultondale: 215 Howell Street, Fultondale, AL
Gardendale: 385 Fieldstone Road, Gardendale, AL
Greystone: 5375 Highway 280, Birmingham, AL
Helena: 2432 Helena Road, Helena, AL
Leeds: 1808 Ashville Road, Leeds, AL
McCalla: 6000 Harris Lane, Bessemer, AL
Oak Mountain: 320 Cahaba Valley Road, Pelham, AL
Pell City: 1653 Martin Street North, Pell City, AL
The Grove: 5658 Grove Boulevard, Hoover, AL
Trussville: 5886 Trussville Crossings Parkway, Trussville, AL
